What is "gazel"

Gazelle \Ga*zelle"\, n. [F. gazelle, OF. also, gazel; cf. Sp. gacela, Pr. gazella, It. gazella; all fr. Ar. ghaz?l a wild goat.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several small, swift, elegantly formed species of antelope, of the genus Gazella, esp. G. dorcas; -- called also algazel, corinne, korin, and kevel. The gazelles are celebrated for the luster and soft expression of their eyes. [Written also gazel.]

Note: The common species of Northern Africa ( Gazella dorcas); the Arabian gazelle, or ariel ( G. Arabica); the mohr of West Africa ( G. mohr); the Indian ( G. Bennetti); the ahu or Persian ( G. subgutturosa); and the springbok or tsebe ( G. euchore) of South Africa, are the best known.

n. (archaic form of gazelle English)

Gazel is a form of Turkish music that has almost died out. While in other parts of the Central Asian world, gazel is synonymous with ghazal, in Turkey it denotes an improvised form of solo singing that is sometimes accompanied by the ney, ud, or tanbur. It is the vocal equivalent to the Turkish taqsim, an improvised instrumental composition.

The form began to die out in the mid-20th century because of its associations with nightclubs, but it has recently begun a revival process.